Mental Exercise

Have you ever had a mental block or wanted to de-stress by focusing on something else? Pick up a Ball of Whacks — you won’t be able to put it down.
This tactile creativity tool consists of 30 magnetic pieces that fit together to form a perfect 30-sided rhombic triacontahedron. You remember geometry, right? Suffice it to say, Ball of Whacks is a mathematically compelling solid shape. You can break it open and rearrange the smooth pyramid-shaped pieces -- but it’s not easy. Because magnets inside each piece attract and repel on different surfaces, manipulating them is challenging. Pieces shift and slide before clicking into place. Sometimes they even seem to have a mind of their own, connecting in different ways than you intended and presenting amazing new possibilities. Equally amazing is how the hand-eye activity will unclog your brain so creativity flows.
Ball of Whacks comes with a 96-page creativity guide full of tips and exercises written by its designer, Roger Von Oech. He’s an author and consultant who travels the world delivering seminars on stimulating creativity and innovation. Are you ready to brainstorm?

Ball of Whacks

Creativity Stimulation Tool

Mental Exercise

Have you ever had a mental block or wanted to de-stress by focusing on something else? Pick up a Ball of Whacks — you won’t be able to put it down.
This tactile creativity tool consists of 30 magnetic pieces that fit together to form a perfect 30-sided rhombic triacontahedron. You remember geometry, right? Suffice it to say, Ball of Whacks is a mathematically compelling solid shape. You can break it open and rearrange the smooth pyramid-shaped pieces -- but it’s not easy. Because magnets inside each piece attract and repel on different surfaces, manipulating them is challenging. Pieces shift and slide before clicking into place. Sometimes they even seem to have a mind of their own, connecting in different ways than you intended and presenting amazing new possibilities. Equally amazing is how the hand-eye activity will unclog your brain so creativity flows.
Ball of Whacks comes with a 96-page creativity guide full of tips and exercises written by its designer, Roger Von Oech. He’s an author and consultant who travels the world delivering seminars on stimulating creativity and innovation. Are you ready to brainstorm?

Grommet Launch Conversation

Grommet Launch Conversation

Roger

Hi Daily Grommet Fans, Are you ready to break through your mental blocks and jumpstart your mind for creative thinking? Great, then I'm in the right place. My lifelong passion is to get others to realize their full creative potential. I lead seminars, write books, and design toys to support my mission. I created the Ball of Whacks to be a creative stimulant and a mental freshener that is more versatile than a puzzle and lots more fun than a brain teaser. I'm delighted to be here today to read your comments and to answer any questions you have.

Abraham Ftaiha

2/15/2011 1:25 PM

My son has this and loves it - he has the multicolored version. I highly recommend it.

Mary Ann

2/15/2011 1:28 PM

Love the Ball of Whacks! We bought one in NYC when they were demonstrating them at FAO Schwartz. My children loved it so I ordered a bunch for birthday gifts. It is a great toy - my 6 year old plays with it a lot and anyone who picks it up is always intrigued by it.

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/15/2011 1:50 PM

Roger, this looks like great fun anytime! For unleashing your creativity, though, do you recommend setting aside time to do creative exercises before starting your workday, or do creative exercises work best when you are at the point in a project when you need some creative intervention?

Roger – Special Guest

2/15/2011 2:48 PM

@Katherine Klinger: Play with the Ball of Whacks near the beginning of a project, and also when you feel the need to take a break. Your creative juices will thank you!

Lawrence L. deBoxtel III

2/15/2011 1:55 PM

This item is so innovative that it should be introduced in the medical world in a number of applications for a number of patients. Two years ago I fell 30' feet and shattered C-7 in my neck, and as it was healing I would paint on canvas or draw on a variety of surfaces to try to occupy my mind with something other than worrying about if I was going to be walking again or not. This device would have been wonderful to have had at that time.

Have a great day and look forward to seeing more new innovative devices on your site in the future.

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/15/2011 2:51 PM

@Lawrence L. deBoxtel III: Thanks for stopping by and sharing your insight. I can't imagine what you've gone through. I hope that you are well on your road to recovery now.

Hector Eide

2/23/2011 11:21 PM

I'm thinking of possible applications with the Wounded Warrior Project. I want to get a ball to my friend, a former Marine, who has recovered from a rifle bullet injury to the shoulder area. He said it took about 6 months of rehabilitation to re-develop fine motor skills with his digits. I want to hear what he has to say about this ball.

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/24/2011 12:46 AM

@Hector Eide: What a wonderful application, please stop back and let us know.

Roger – Special Guest

2/15/2011 2:49 PM

I appreciate the very kind comments. They are much appreciated.

The Ball of Whacks is used by people of all ages: kids, students, and adults. It's especially popular with cubicle geeks!

The accompanying 96-page creativity guidebook provides a number of exercises the user can work through to stimulate their creativity.

Lynn

2/15/2011 8:50 PM

Do you imprint company logos for bulk orders?

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/16/2011 11:28 AM

@Lynn: I will put you in touch with the company directly. Thank you!

Kim

2/15/2011 9:31 PM

We bought 2 of the Ball of Whacks in multicolors a year ago and we love them. My kids ask to play often with them and my husband decided we could not get just one set. Lots of creativity! Thanks for the fun!

Dan G

2/23/2011 8:30 PM

I am growing impatient waiting for my order for two balls of whacks placed on the 19th and paid for express shipping and still nothing yet in even an email it was shipped. Thankfully I printed the receipt. http://www.thegrommet.com/products/comments/?id=5661#

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/23/2011 8:52 PM

@Dan G: Hi Dan. I can understand your excitement. With the holiday, the earliest this would have been able to ship was yesterday. Our customer service department will check in and get back to you directly.

Dan G

2/27/2011 5:31 PM

@Katherine Klinger:

After some checking, I was generous in my initial post since I must have ordered at least on the 16th because the charge was posted to my account on the 17th and I still did not receive my order by the end of business on Friday the 25th and I requested expedited shipping.

Hector Eide

2/23/2011 11:06 PM

First I was intrigued, bought the Ball of Wack (for myself), and then observed the behaviors induced by my son playing with the ball—WHACK. I immediately considered the possibilities of this tactile toy as a tool to help distracted children focus. With so many fun distractions (visual, auditory, and tactile stimulations) on TV and video games, I was finally happy to see a very seemingly simple toy captivate attention in children! After I finish observing my son, and his friends, play with the Ball of Whack, I may move on to possible applications in adult learning. I want to know more about Roger and his work.

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/24/2011 12:44 AM

@Hector Eide: Anything that can captivate our imaginations and stretch our creativity is a winning product. If you search on Roger von Oech you will find many resources to learn even more about the man behind this product.

Rosemary Cowan

7/5/2011 7:18 PM

I got this for my grandson for his 10th birthday, and he just loves it. He is very smart and loves math, so I thought this would be great for him. I didn't realize how much he would like it, because he and his sister have been fighting over playing with it!

Katherine – Grommet Team

7/6/2011 9:19 AM

@Rosemary Cowan: We love that you were able to find the perfect gift for your grandson! Thanks for stopping back to share.

MELANIE SWALM

8/3/2011 10:00 AM

IT SEEMS THAT THIS ITEM IS OUT OF STOCK. HOW CAN I GET ONE FOR MY GRANDSON WHO I THINK WOULD LOVE THIS. HE IS CRAZY ABOUT TINKER TOYS AND LEGOs. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE IT TO HIM AS A PRESENT FOR HIS 10TH BIRTHDAY.

Brenda Soghikian

10/9/2011 7:35 PM

any idea when these will be restocked?

Katherine – Grommet Team

10/9/2011 8:44 PM

@Brenda Soghikian: It is looking like mid-November.

Maria

10/26/2012 3:32 PM

Will you be carrying this item again?

Chew-Hoong – Grommet Team

10/29/2012 12:20 AM

@Maria Wong: Sorry, we no longer offer this Grommet. Hope you'll consider our other Grommets that jumpstarts creative thinking like Perplexus and Monkey Pod Games .

Recently Viewed

Ball of Whacks

Creativity Stimulation Tool

Mental Exercise

Have you ever had a mental block or wanted to de-stress by focusing on something else? Pick up a Ball of Whacks — you won’t be able to put it down.

This tactile creativity tool consists of 30 magnetic pieces that fit together to form a perfect 30-sided rhombic triacontahedron. You remember geometry, right? Suffice it to say, Ball of Whacks is a mathematically compelling solid shape. You can break it open and rearrange the smooth pyramid-shaped pieces -- but it’s not easy. Because magnets inside each piece attract and repel on different surfaces, manipulating them is challenging. Pieces shift and slide before clicking into place. Sometimes they even seem to have a mind of their own, connecting in different ways than you intended and presenting amazing new possibilities. Equally amazing is how the hand-eye activity will unclog your brain so creativity flows.

Ball of Whacks comes with a 96-page creativity guide full of tips and exercises written by its designer, Roger Von Oech. He’s an author and consultant who travels the world delivering seminars on stimulating creativity and innovation. Are you ready to brainstorm?Read MoreRead Less

No longer available

Grommet Launch Conversation

Roger

Hi Daily Grommet Fans, Are you ready to break through your mental blocks and jumpstart your mind for creative thinking? Great, then I'm in the right place. My lifelong passion is to get others to realize their full creative potential. I lead seminars, write books, and design toys to support my mission. I created the Ball of Whacks to be a creative stimulant and a mental freshener that is more versatile than a puzzle and lots more fun than a brain teaser. I'm delighted to be here today to read your comments and to answer any questions you have.

Abraham Ftaiha

2/15/2011 1:25 PM

My son has this and loves it - he has the multicolored version. I highly recommend it.

Mary Ann

2/15/2011 1:28 PM

Love the Ball of Whacks! We bought one in NYC when they were demonstrating them at FAO Schwartz. My children loved it so I ordered a bunch for birthday gifts. It is a great toy - my 6 year old plays with it a lot and anyone who picks it up is always intrigued by it.

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/15/2011 1:50 PM

Roger, this looks like great fun anytime! For unleashing your creativity, though, do you recommend setting aside time to do creative exercises before starting your workday, or do creative exercises work best when you are at the point in a project when you need some creative intervention?

Roger – Special Guest

2/15/2011 2:48 PM

@Katherine Klinger: Play with the Ball of Whacks near the beginning of a project, and also when you feel the need to take a break. Your creative juices will thank you!

Lawrence L. deBoxtel III

2/15/2011 1:55 PM

This item is so innovative that it should be introduced in the medical world in a number of applications for a number of patients. Two years ago I fell 30' feet and shattered C-7 in my neck, and as it was healing I would paint on canvas or draw on a variety of surfaces to try to occupy my mind with something other than worrying about if I was going to be walking again or not. This device would have been wonderful to have had at that time.

Have a great day and look forward to seeing more new innovative devices on your site in the future.

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/15/2011 2:51 PM

@Lawrence L. deBoxtel III: Thanks for stopping by and sharing your insight. I can't imagine what you've gone through. I hope that you are well on your road to recovery now.

Hector Eide

2/23/2011 11:21 PM

I'm thinking of possible applications with the Wounded Warrior Project. I want to get a ball to my friend, a former Marine, who has recovered from a rifle bullet injury to the shoulder area. He said it took about 6 months of rehabilitation to re-develop fine motor skills with his digits. I want to hear what he has to say about this ball.

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/24/2011 12:46 AM

@Hector Eide: What a wonderful application, please stop back and let us know.

Roger – Special Guest

2/15/2011 2:49 PM

I appreciate the very kind comments. They are much appreciated.

The Ball of Whacks is used by people of all ages: kids, students, and adults. It's especially popular with cubicle geeks!

The accompanying 96-page creativity guidebook provides a number of exercises the user can work through to stimulate their creativity.

Lynn

2/15/2011 8:50 PM

Do you imprint company logos for bulk orders?

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/16/2011 11:28 AM

@Lynn: I will put you in touch with the company directly. Thank you!

Kim

2/15/2011 9:31 PM

We bought 2 of the Ball of Whacks in multicolors a year ago and we love them. My kids ask to play often with them and my husband decided we could not get just one set. Lots of creativity! Thanks for the fun!

Dan G

2/23/2011 8:30 PM

I am growing impatient waiting for my order for two balls of whacks placed on the 19th and paid for express shipping and still nothing yet in even an email it was shipped. Thankfully I printed the receipt. http://www.thegrommet.com/products/comments/?id=5661#

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/23/2011 8:52 PM

@Dan G: Hi Dan. I can understand your excitement. With the holiday, the earliest this would have been able to ship was yesterday. Our customer service department will check in and get back to you directly.

Dan G

2/27/2011 5:31 PM

@Katherine Klinger:

After some checking, I was generous in my initial post since I must have ordered at least on the 16th because the charge was posted to my account on the 17th and I still did not receive my order by the end of business on Friday the 25th and I requested expedited shipping.

Hector Eide

2/23/2011 11:06 PM

First I was intrigued, bought the Ball of Wack (for myself), and then observed the behaviors induced by my son playing with the ball—WHACK. I immediately considered the possibilities of this tactile toy as a tool to help distracted children focus. With so many fun distractions (visual, auditory, and tactile stimulations) on TV and video games, I was finally happy to see a very seemingly simple toy captivate attention in children! After I finish observing my son, and his friends, play with the Ball of Whack, I may move on to possible applications in adult learning. I want to know more about Roger and his work.

Katherine – Grommet Team

2/24/2011 12:44 AM

@Hector Eide: Anything that can captivate our imaginations and stretch our creativity is a winning product. If you search on Roger von Oech you will find many resources to learn even more about the man behind this product.

Rosemary Cowan

7/5/2011 7:18 PM

I got this for my grandson for his 10th birthday, and he just loves it. He is very smart and loves math, so I thought this would be great for him. I didn't realize how much he would like it, because he and his sister have been fighting over playing with it!

Katherine – Grommet Team

7/6/2011 9:19 AM

@Rosemary Cowan: We love that you were able to find the perfect gift for your grandson! Thanks for stopping back to share.

MELANIE SWALM

8/3/2011 10:00 AM

IT SEEMS THAT THIS ITEM IS OUT OF STOCK. HOW CAN I GET ONE FOR MY GRANDSON WHO I THINK WOULD LOVE THIS. HE IS CRAZY ABOUT TINKER TOYS AND LEGOs. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE IT TO HIM AS A PRESENT FOR HIS 10TH BIRTHDAY.

Brenda Soghikian

10/9/2011 7:35 PM

any idea when these will be restocked?

Katherine – Grommet Team

10/9/2011 8:44 PM

@Brenda Soghikian: It is looking like mid-November.

Maria

10/26/2012 3:32 PM

Will you be carrying this item again?

Chew-Hoong – Grommet Team

10/29/2012 12:20 AM

@Maria Wong: Sorry, we no longer offer this Grommet. Hope you'll consider our other Grommets that jumpstarts creative thinking like Perplexus and Monkey Pod Games .